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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1914)
THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX. PORTLAND. OCTOBER 18, 1914. LOWEST TAX LEVY SINGE 1910 LIKELY OTFICERS OF. FEDERATION OF STATE SOCIETIES WHO ARE ADVERTISING OREGON IN THE EAST. TAX LAW DEFENDED Argument Is Made Against Amending Constitution. City Commission, as Budget Committee, Reduces Pro posed Expenditures. $1500 EXEMPTION SCORED Citizens' Legislative League Com mitteemen Also Urge That Rule of Equal and Uniform Taxa tion Be Reaffirmed. $111,213 IS TRIMMED OUT 16 r f w u . r- - .4 51 r-t- '. ":-,-'.:..". . S 4 r si s4 f s 4 , $ gaSx. 3 St- " - i Only Part of Estimates Acted On and "With All Passed It Is Expected Saving- Will Total Close to $400,000 That the 1915 tax levy for Portland will be the lowest in several years is shown by the manner in which the City Commission, acting in the capacity of budget committee, is cutting down the proposed expenditures for the va rious departments and for special ap propriations for municipal improve ments during 1915. Starting out at the first of last week, with a. budget which would require a tax levy of about 7.3 mills, the Com mission has trimmed out items ag gregating 111.213. which will bring the levy down at least to 7 mills. This is the lowest levy since 1912. The Com mision has acted only upon a small part of the budget so far. Other Reductions Likely. By the time the rest of the depart ments are checked over it is expected the levy will be pulled down to the lowest point since 1910. The levy fixed for 1911 was 6.8 mills, and since that time it has remained at 7.7 mills. The saving in the cost of conducting the municipality during 1915. judging from tha manner the Commission is attacking the budget, will amount to between $350,000 and $400,000. With these amounts cut out, there will be left a sufficient sum to do considerable improvement during 1915. The Commission already has allowed special appropriations for improve ments aggregating $170,350. The amount in years past generally has been close to $500,000 and in some years has gone higher. Special Appropriations Listed. Following is a list of the special ap propriations, excepting a few small ones, allowed by the Commission so far in its budget considerations: Additional fire alarm operator $ 1,110 Crew for fireboat George H. Williams 9.153 One addiltonal fire alarm lineman... 1,31,0 Two auto aerial hook and ladder trucks for fire bureau on East side 25.000 Combination auto hose and chemical truck for Peninsula 6.000 AiitnmnhllA tender for fireboat Wil liams 8,000 One steam engine auto tractor lor Portland Heights 4,500 Installing lighting systems in unlight- d parka 10.000 Additional grading on Terwllllger hnulevard 3.000 Two comfort stations in Lents Park.. 700 Tw comfort stations In Washington Park 2.000 Band concerts In parks lu.ujjf Automobile for Sealer of Weights and Measures 5j0 Official advertising 10. 000 Regular city election in June. 1915.. 25,000 Storage house at Mount Tabor Park 1.500 Construction new fire bureau Head quarters station at Fourth and Vamhlll streets and one other sta tion 40.000 rnntnirtlnn seven-Btorv frame drill tower for fire bureau 2,500 Construction of shed for Fulton Park volunteer fire department 250 Construction of berth for old fireboat 15,000 So far the budget committee has not considered the appropriations for all the fire bureau or for the police, health and other bureaus of the Department of Public Safety na has not considered any of the Public Works Department or the Dock Com mission. Following is a tabulation of the es timates considered by the budget com mittee showing the amounts asked, the amounts allowed and the amounts ap propriated for the present year: Department of Public Affairs. Commissioner Brewster. 7nmmiKsloner's office; Asked Allowed Appro'n for by budget for 1815. commife 1914. Salaries $ 7,700 7,400 $ 7,100 tiupplies, mater's. etc 225 l.esnl Rureau - 225 290 20.920 19,260 4.S40 5.244 Salaries 21,600 Supplies, mater's, etc 4.840 Purtc Rnreau Salaries 110,454 110,251 103,415 Supplies, mater's, etc 79.703 79.703 52.074 Installation light ing in parks... 10.000 10,000 riiv Kail Ttureau Salaries 13.616 13.616 15,030 Supplies, mater's. etc 6.395 6.305 Woflffhtjt and Measures Bureau 9.696 Salaries 4.320 3.000 3,000 feiipplles, mater's, etc 1.306 1.235 FSS Free Employment Bureau Salaries ..oiu J.oto. ' -.a o Suunlles. mater's. etc 2.005 1.0S5 1.949 Auditing Department A. L.. Barbur. Salaries 42,540 42,540 EO.'JSO supplies, mater's, etc. 4.477 4.471 8,561 Official advertis ing account ... 10,000 10,000 14.000 Regular city elec tion in June.. 23.000 25,000 t'ivll Service Bureau Salaries 4,090 8.S20 4,000 supplica, mater's, etc S10 690 775 Department of Finance. Commissioner Biffelow. Commissioner's office Salaries 6.020 6.020 6,020 supplies, mater's. etc 830 250 2S9 Treasurer's office Salaries 16.540 16,540 17,020 Supplies, mater's, etc 4.S4I 4.347 4.U51 Municipal garage Salaries S.823 S.801 Supplies, mater's, etc 4.B32 4,932 Public Market Bureau Salarlei 2.220 2,220 2.220 fcupplles, mater's. etc 5.425 1,925 6.050 Purchasing Department Salaries 0.8S5 9.SS3 9.4 Supplits. mater's. etc 667 667 3.4S9 Public Safety Iepartment. Mayor Albee. Major's office... 10.560 10,200 10,200 Supplies, mater s. etc 973 223 300 Fire Bureau. Police Bureau and other Bureaus in Mayors department incomplete. MRS. J. R. O'BRIEN PASSES Dufur Resident Survived by Eight Children and 1 1 Grandchilren. DUFUE, Or.. Oct. 17. (Special.) Jlrs. Jennie R. O Brien. widow of Ni holson P. O'Brien, died at her home in this city October 8. Mrs. O'Brien, who was born in New Buffalo, N. Y-, August 13, 1854, was the daughter of a Methodist minister and her younger life was passed in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. January 2 1874. she was married to Nicholson P. O'Brien, removing to Kansas, where they lived until 1892, when they cam to Dufur. Or. F.ight children survive her: Milton B. Mabel F Kveline and Eunice O'Brien, and Mrs. John Obert. of Dufur: Richard F. O'Brien, of Boyd, and Kobert D. O'Brien, of Port-land. Eleven grand children also survive her. Mrs. O'Brien was an active member and earnest worker In all church ac tivitles. x..v' &-ols Srer. GIRL'S CHARGE HOLDS 4 GRAND JURY FREES LOBER BUT S. DICTS OTHER BALLPLAYERS. Arellanes and Davis, Berger, Jeweler, and Roach, Actor, Face Two Com plaint! Chauffeur Released. Frank Arellanes, pitcher for the Sac ramento baseball club; Robert Davis. utility player for Portland; Joseph Berger, jeweler, and Bert Roach, an actor, were indicted on two counts when the grand jury reported before Judge Gatens yesterday noon. Each is accused of contributing to the de linquency of a minor and a statutory offense. A not-true bill was found against Elmer Lober. who was investi gated on the same charges. The .alleged offenses are said to have been committed in August and Septem ber in this city. A 14-year-old high school girl has made a statement ac cusing the four of serious misconduct. All are out on bail. A not-true bill was returned in the case of Ross Cummings. chauffeur, whose automobile crashed into a street car at Williams avenue and Wasco street September 28, the accident caus ing the death of three occupants of the auto. Cummings has already been sen tenced to serve 90 days on the rock pile in Police Court. Mike E. Dowgiallo was indicted on an arson charge, it being alleged that he set fire to a building owned by Otto W. Nelson, at Third and Flanders streets, for the purpose of collecting tne insurance carried on his household effects. Carl Meister, clerk of a local depart ment store, "was indicted for contribut ing to the delinquency of a 16-year-old girl. A not true bill was returned in the case of Joseph-Fahey. charged with seduction. -. b-- John Brown, alias James Hicks, alias Frank J. Thorman, was indicted on two charges, one being assault with intent to rob and the other assault with in tent to kill. He held up a Fulton Park car three weeks ago and was shot and seriously wounded by the motorman of the car. Indictments were returned chartrlnar William J. Farrll. Peter Samord and Albert Steward with non-support. The grand Jury will continue its investiga tions this week. STREET REPAIRS PUZZLE 1ADD ADDITIO.V ASSOCIATION TRIES TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY. Bond of Pa v In gr Company Provides Only for Keeping Parts of Two Streets in Repair. The Ladd Addition Improvement As sociation took steps at the meeting held Friday night in the First United Evangelical Church to ascertain all the conditions under which the streets of Ladd's Addition were paved in 1907, with a view to some future action, when it becomes necessary to repave or repair them. The streets of this addition were improved under a per mit irora the city Engineer by the Barber Asphalt Company, under an agreement with the representatives of the I-add estate, and the question of repairs and repaving has come up in connection with Ladd avenue. " The secretary was instructed to ask Mr. Strong, of the Iadd estate, to fur nish the association with a copy of the specifications. A lengthy opinion of City Attorney La Roche was read at the meeting, which holds that the streets in Ladd's Addition were im proved under a private contract with the estate, and that contractors -are responsible only for renewal of the present pavements when required to do so by the City Council. A copy of the bond furnished by the Barber Asphalt Company to the Ladd estate provides only for keeping portions of Ladd are nut and Palm street in repairs for 10 years was submitted. No other streets in the addition are named in this bond. It was declared that many of the streets need repairing now. A meeting of the association was called for October 30. Logger Dies of Injuries. MARSH FIELD. Or., Oct. 17. (Spe cial.) Charles Boone, a native of Coos County, died last night at Coqullle from injuries received from a falling limb in the Walter Lawhorn logging camp on Middle creek, near ilcKinley Boona was 22 years old, and a resident of Fairvlew. X i j 5 The societies formed of representati ed and founded an organization known cieties. This joining of forces was effe in advertising Oregon and its wonderfu ing the fair in San Francisco there will Pacific Coast, and it is to induce thes on one of their trips that an especial et be established where representatives strangers, and unbounded hospitality During the Land Products Show, to eration of State Societies will have cha The returns from the election will be g will be done to make the day a. success. federation. The other officers are: Fi second vice-president. Dr. G. Karle Hen H. Hilton, California: fourth vice-presi tary, Mrs. Harriet Hendee, Michigan. Y. M.C.A. OUTLOOK ROSY I. B. RHODES TELLS OF NEW BUILD. IKGS GOING UP FAST. Payette, Idaho, Rushes Structure for Association and Work Goes Ahead Over Territory. With three new T. M. C. A. build ings in the course of construction and several others just reopened, the affairs of the association are in an encourag ing condition, according to L B. Rhodes, interstate arid railroad secretary for the Y. M. C. A. in Oregon and Wash ington, who has just returned from a trip over his territory. "I have just finished a trip from Eu gene to Pocatello and Northern Idaho." said Mr. Rhodes. "I visited about 15 as sociations. "I think the most interesting work of our association is at Payette, Idaho, where, in a city of 2500 inhabitants, they have just completed the rebuilding of a $25,000 Y. M. C A. building. The structure burned down last Winter. Payette is one of the few small towns in the country which can boast of pos sessing a Y. M. C. A. building. "The 330,000 railroad Y. M. c -A. bullding at La. Grande is nearlng com pletion. The land on which the struc ture stands is valued at 310,000, mak ing the total value of the plant about $40,000. The cornerstone of the new Y. M. C. A. building at Astoria was laid a week ago. The wails are already completed. "We have just reopened our two Y. M. C. A. houses at the Celilo Canal. They were closed last Summer when the work stopped on the canal. we have another association at Arrow Rock, Idaho, where the Federal recla mation service is building the highest dam in the world. Our Y. M. C. A. building there Is open 18 hours a day. We bave been inducing the men to put their money in the savings banks. Tfhe result is that they are saving from 310.000 to $12,000 a month from the town's payroll." Mr. Rhodes left Portland for La Grande last night. Sandy Women's Club Meets. SANDY, Or,- Oct. 17. (Special.) The first regular Fall meeting of the Sandy Women s Club was held Thurs day at- the home of Mrs. Percy T. Shelly. The club year book was out and distributed. The club has taken up United States history for this sea son, including a stody of , literature. art. architecture, social and economic quetsions. Mrs. Irene Hall donated two referenoe books for the use of the club. The Shelley home was hand somely decorated for the occasion, the dining-room being transformed into .a 5 - J a ' it. h A y?-v lirtfiST'i ifaiaarif i-T"" -iTuriHstirtu' ' 1 inrf lffl. L , j ' cC v v iLsi HS11 fwiirininawiiSnff. Dr. iohn J JVorcTi eerier: ves of various states recently federat- as the Oregon Federation of State So cted with a view toward united effort 1 resources throughout the Bast. Dur be thousands of visitors come to the e travelers to pass through this state tort is being made. Headquarters will from the home states will greet the win De offered. be held soon in the Armory, the Fed- rge of the programme for November 3. iven by special arrangement, and much -nuip c. nates is president of the rst vice-president C. L. Burton, Illinois; ton. fteorasKa: third vice-president. F. dent. W. J. Hester,' New York; secre- woodland bower with fesToons of Au tumn leaves. The club will hold its next meeting at the home of Mrs. Dora Barendrick October 22. PAYDAYS ON TIME NOW Workman Tells or Changes Booth Kelly Co. "Wrought in Lane. SPRING FIELD. Or.. Oct. 17. (Spe cial. ) "I wish I could make a speech, instead of being just a. workman," said Z. T. Collins yesterday. "If I had been able -to talk to those people up there the other day when Mr. Booth was making his speech to them. I d liked to have told them what it was like Lane County before the Booth-Kelly Company came here. There were no paydays then. "If you worked in any of the little sawmills, you kept at work until bun ger or desire for a little clothing made you ask the boss for some money. Then, instead of money, you would get an order on the store. You couldn't get what you wanted, but what the store had in stock, and like as not you would have to take more than you wanted because the order was for a larger amount than you needed at the time. After the Booth-Kelly Company came, there were regular paydays, and nowa days we get our money as fast as we earn it. HE REDUCED 57 POUNDS New Method or Klesh, Reduction Proves Astonishingly Successful JOHNSTOWN. Pa, Oct. 17. Investi gation has fully established that Hon. H. T. Stetler, of this city, has reduced 57 pounds in an incredibly short time by wearing a simple, invisible device, weighing less than arf ounce. This, when worn as directed, acts as an in fallible reducer, dispensing entirely with dieting, medicines and exercises. Many prominent men and women have adopted this easy means of reducing flesh, and it is stated the inventor. Professor D. W. Burns, of No. 17 W. 38th St., New York, is sending these outfits on free trial to all who write him. Adv. Monmouth School Changes Courses. MONMOUTH, Or, Oct. IT. (Special.)' The study of first-year Latin has been abolished in the high school of this city and type-written courses have been substituted. For the first time in the school's history a German course is offered. A large number are en rolled in the typewriting and business courses. The school has a new teacher. Miss Florence Rees, this year, and has made numerous improvements. It takes a good deal of money to run Sf SI 7 a brave youns man, PORTLAND,- Oct. 17. (To the Edi tor.) The war In Europe demon strates what serious conditions may develop from mistakes of government. Business in Orego faces a crisis. Bet ter opportunity could not be hoped for. Our great resources, the development we have attained, our favorable rela tion to the great markets opening be fore us. the display of our resources at San Francisco in 1915, all combine in our favor, but business cannot pros per if we make laws to forbid it. To write a law into Oregon's con stitution Is like throwing a sledge hammer into the works of a clock. Constitutions are to define a plan of government, to determine fundamental and acknowledged rights of persons and property, and in the clearest possi ble manner prescribe how laws shall be made, limiting the extent to which private rights may be abridged for the public welfare. Thus, the constitution s the one instrument by which ail laws must be tested to determine whether or not they infringe on per sonal or property rights protected by that instrument- To write a law into the constitution as a part of it is an absurdity. One might, with as much propriety, call the defendant to sit on the jury to pass on his own case, when unanimous verdict of the Jury is needed to convict. Many objections have been made to the unfair preference proposed to be given by the $1500 exemption amend ment, numbered 326 on the ballot, be cause of the very different treatment such exemption would accord to some citizens as compared with other citi zens, and to some classes of property as compared with other property. Like wise, serious objection is offered to the graduated extra-tax amendment. No. 336, because of its discrimination against large land owners, especially owners of timber. Method Should Defeat Them. If 6uch measures were absolutely fair the manner in which they are of fered should defeat them. As statutes. they should have no place In the con stitution. As part of the constitution they should have no force and effect as statutes. Men are prosecuted for violating statutes enacted in conform ity with the constitution, but are never prosecuted for a violation of the con stitution if not supplemented by stat ute. As presented to the voters, "A self- executing constitutional amendment," the wording of the measure alone is suggestive of anarchy. Each of said amendments provides the repeal of all parts of the constitu tion and laws in conflict with them. Without specific mention of any sec tion to be repealed, to become effec tive they must annul three separate sections of the constitution now pro viding for equal and uniform taxation. With the repealing clause attached and, "self-executing," If such language means anything. It must be the intent to put the act beyond the power of the courts to decide the new measure un constitutional or void. It must mean that the new law is to be accepted as in full force and effect regardless of all destruction or disaster it brings in its operation. It must mean that the Oregon voter, who has no chance to understand the relation of the many existing laws to proposed new laws, can by his mere vote enact a measure wholly at variance with all existing laws, and by styling it a "constitutional amendment," put it beyond the power of the courts: in other words, we can adopt a reign of anarchy in spite of the courts. Federal Constitution Cited. The Constitution of the United States was created for the whole people, with equal rights to all and special privil eges to none. Not a law was written into it, because by its terms it was the Instrument by which all laws must be tested and tried. No section con flicted with any other section, no re pealing clause is found in any section or amendment, because, all is harmony. In spite of wars, slavery, rebellion, immigration from all nations and the development of many industries, that Instrument has had only seven amend ments in a century and a quarter. Be cause of its sacredess as the key to lib erty and the arbiter of all law. It was made difficult to change. The several states, Oregon included, modeled their constitutions after that instrument in form and spirit. Suddenly an obscure individual ap peared, professing to be a friend of the people, an Oregon Moses, and expressed a conviction that constitutions were more of a hindrance than a help to the people. No move was made to change the object or plan of the constitution, or the authority of courts, but it was decided to make the constitution easy to amend. 19 Amendments Proposed. We are confronted with 19 proposed amendments in 1914. because it is easy to amend the constitution. Two amendments seek to aid unequal tax by dropping the words "equal" and "uniform" as to assessment and taxa tion, to-wit: Nos. 308 and 310. Such amendments are apologized for by urg ing that justice can better be done by permitting officials to make schedules of property to be taxed at different rates. Such schedules can be used equally well in arriving at fair assess ments without destroying the only equitable rule applicable to every kind of business and protecting each from unfair assessment. For example. billions of feet of timber, much of which should be conserved for 40 and 50 years hence, demands fair and wise treatment; many things are to be con sidered in arriving at a reasonable valuation from year to year and sched ules are proper and may well be used in fixing a proper assessment. Any schedule which would provide a just rate of taxation can be equally effec tive to reach a fair assessment with uniform rate of tax. Money and ac counts need not be mistreated under present laws. If the Assessor fails to fulfill his duty to assess property at its real value that is its approximate value the fault is not with the law. which permits officials to make all possible schedules in reaching results. The Board of Equalization, when it as- 1 certains that real estate is assessed at a certain per cent ok its real value, iz it does not see fit to change the realty assessment, should change the assess ment of the other property assessed at 100 cents on the dollar to correspond with the realty assessment. Trouble With OHIrUli." Thoughs money has been used as the measure of value by the Assessor, the Board of Equalization does not have to select It as the Item by which to equal ize values. If real estate has been assessed at 70 per cent, to equalize, the board, in honor, can put money and all other property at the same rate of as sessment, No fairer rule is possible than l is as nnaiaiaasaaaass i i - smssssa ii n i sssaisss astsiiiiin a m mmn ..a u i Simon's cash bought the entire St. Helen's Hall. We are wrecking this building. A tremendous amount of material in good condition is on sale at astonishing prices. Take advantage right away, as we have had hundreds of in quiries and everything is going fast. Contractors and building men, take special attention of this great oppor tunity. 500 Chairs, Worth from $2 to $3 Special 75c 500 Chairs in several styles taken from St. Helen's Hall fire, every one first-class, not damaged by fire. These Chairs are worth from $2 to $3 ; .guaranteed by us. This is without a doubt the greatest sale of chairs in the history of Portland. Telephone and mail orders filled. "While thi3 lot lasts, take them for, each 53 C For. Sale at Our Big Warehouse This material was taken from St. Helen's fire. In good condition Windows, Sash, Furniture, Ranges, Toilets, Sinks, Gas Fixtures, Lumber Contractors, Builders, Business Houses, take advantage of this great sacrifice that comes but once in years. All kinds of materials sold in lots to suit. Mr. Simon will personally be at St. Helen's Hall Monday morning between 7 and 9. Afternoon between 4 and 6. 250,000 Brick, Stone, Fire-Escapes, Radiators, 6000-foot Sectional Boiler, Firewood Mail Orders Filled on Any of the Above Material. J. Simon & Bro. Largest Salvage Brokers in the Northwest Front and Grant Sts. Main 2002 to assess property at Its real value and adhere as nearly as possible to equal ity and uniformity. The trouble is with officials, not with the law. It will do no good to Jump from the frying-pan into the Are. If property cannot be found at an honest rate of assessment it will not be brousht from hiding by playing favorites. If we can't measure correctly with a perfect rule, we shall not help matters by using an elastic one. The trouble is with the administration of the law and tf officials are lax and show favoritism in violation of law, what will they not do with a free hand? A new law will not find more faithful officials. No safer . words can . be applied to taxation than "equal" and "uniform." The advocates of single tax insist upon substituting for them "Never treat thy neighbor as thyself If It can possibly be avoided." Another favorite motto seems to be "Don't call a statute a law when it is so easy to make con stitutions." . State's Fntsre Held at Stake. It Is not enough to defeat these vic ious attacks on the constitution. We have been fighting them and they only come In Increased numbers. The Fels fund still exists. Oregon's reputation and her future Is at stake. Prosperity from 1914 to 1916 means millions saved to Oregon, It means many men saved from bankruptcy. Now Is the right time to do the right thing. It is as safe to reaffirm the rule, "equal and uniform," as to reaffirm -the ten com mandments and let the world know that tbe work Is permanent. No. 3S on the ballot reaffirms equal and uni form taxation, permits an exemption not exceeding 300 In value and re quires a two-thirds vote to establish unequal taxation. Such rule Is fair. It is right. It la Just; under existing conditions It is the one guaranty which will revive business without delay. Democrats use the two-thirds rule to nominate a President. otherwise President Wilson wiould not now oc cuny the White House. A two-thirds vote is required to overrule a veto. Unanimous consent is frequently required to consider question out of Its order. It is only the ordinary affairs of expediency which are rightly- trusted, to the im pulse of the .occasion. Tha two-thirds rule is infinitely safer than manufac turing constitutions by plurality. Vote No. 356 yes. GEORGE E. KJtOST. Chairman Executive Committee. Citi zens Legislative League. T. L. FORDING. Secretary. Pantippptic Lotion relieves chafing A1v- BREAKS A COLD IN A FEW HOURS First dose of "Pape's Cold Com pound" relieves all grippe misery. Don't stay stuf fed-up! Quit blowing and snuffling! A dose of "Pape's Cold Compound," taken every two hours until three doses are taken, will end grippe misery and break up a severe cold either in the head, chest, body or limbs. It promptly opens clogged-up nos trils and air passages: stops nasty dis charge or nose running: relieves sick headache, dullness, feverlshness, sore throat, sneezing, soreness and stiff ness. "Pape's Cold Compound" is the quick est, surest relief known and costs only 25 cents at drug stores. It acts with out assistance, tastes nice and causes no inconvenience. Don't accept a sub stitute. Adv. Kola Tablets have many friends who use them as a general tonic and for Kidney trouble. Price :5c per box. 5 boxes for $1.00. For sale by Laue-Davls Drug Co 3d and Yamhill ats. WITHOUT QUININE